New Tech School comes to Gippsland

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​Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley secondary school students can now get their hands on the latest technology to assist them with the jobs of the future at the new Gippsland Tech School.

Located in the Latrobe Valley, Gippsland Tech School will give students access to modern science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning as part of their curriculum – opening up new opportunities for students.

Students from eight partner schools in Gippsland will be able to access the Tech School throughout the year for specialised programs.

Gippsland Tech School director, Paul Boys has been working with local schools and businesses to develop learning programs, build industry partnerships and select high-tech STEM equipment for the exciting new facility.

Mr Boys says the school will improve employment pathways for people across the region.

'The curriculum has been designed to allow students to work on real-life problems provided by industry and use the latest technologies to come up with solutions,' Mr Boys says.

Let's go to Tech School

Gippsland Tech School includes a high-tech skills laboratory, a fabrication room and a makerspace for students to use and get hands-on experience with specialised high-tech STEM equipment.

Students will use equipment including robots, professional film and animation gear and software, 3D printers, craft and design materials, and health analytics devices.

Gippsland Tech School will have a local industry focus on food and fibre, health, new energy and advanced manufacturing. Students will work on real-life problems provided by industry and use the latest technologies to develop solutions.

The school is offering learning programs including a design challenge to support farmers using robots, a "taster" to learn how all types of technology are influencing local industry and making virtual art.

It's not just students who will benefit – Gippsland Tech School are also hosting community events.

The Women in STEM event series, incollaboration with the Baw Baw Latrobe Local Learning and Employment Network, is coming up this year. Women in STEM aims to support young women in the STEM industry.

Hackathon 2018 is happening in August. The event asks participants to create new solutions for people with additional needs. It will produce opportunities for knowledge-sharing between young people and industry.

About Tech Schools

The Government is investing $128 million to construct and establish 10 Tech Schools across the state.

Students will still be enrolled in their local secondary school but will attend classes at a Tech School that is shared with many other schools in their region.

Tech Schools are hosted on TAFEs and university campuses to introduce students to the tertiary education sector, and smooth their pathways into tertiary studies and training.